Category: Legislative

North East Lawmakers decry exclusion from FG’s $530m Agro-Industrial Project,demand immediate inclusion

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lawmakers under the aegis of the National Assembly North East Caucus have expressed deep concern over the exclusion of their region from the Federal Government’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project, a $530 million initiative designed to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.   At a press briefing held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, the Caucus comprisiing Senators and Members of the House of Representatives from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States called for the urgent inclusion of the North East in the programme,…

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan files N5.1bn defamation suit against Senator Nwaebonyi

Emporium Reporters

Suspended Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has initiated a N5.1 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi. The suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on April 7, 2025, follows allegations made by Senator Nwaebonyi during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025.   Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Nwaebonyi of falsely branding her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer,” statements she claimed are malicious, defamatory, and harmful to her reputation. In the lawsuit, the embattled senator…

House of Reps issues strong warning to Rivers Administrator Ibas over constitutional boundaries

Emporium Reporters

The House of Representatives has issued a fresh reminder to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), emphasized that he lacked the constitutional authority to make laws or draft a budget for the state.   This warning comes after Ibas announced his plans to prepare a new budget for the oil-rich state following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State in March. The state of emergency, declared by President Bola Tinubu, suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the state legislature…

Senate Backs $500 Million Chinese Investment in Solid Minerals, Pledges Legislative Support

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Nigerian Senate has assured a visiting Chinese delegation of full legislative support as they plan to invest $500 million in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, marking a significant step in the country’s economic diversification efforts. The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, on Friday, hosted the delegation led by Mr. Chen Twan of Zong Hong Kotai Group, who disclosed that their company is set to commence mining operations in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Nasarawa States.   Senator Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi (Nasarawa South), standing in for the…

Speaker Abbas condemns Plateau attacks, describes killings as senseless and barbaric

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has strongly condemned the recent coordinated attacks on several communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the killings as senseless and barbaric.   The affected communities Ruwi, Manguna, Daffo, Josho, and Hurti—were reportedly attacked by armed assailants, leading to the death of many residents and injuries to several others, including women and children.   In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, and issued on Saturday, April 5,…

Senate to consider tax reform bills after resumption – Bamidele ……. Says 1999 Constitution amendment still on course, empowers over 5,000 Constituents

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured Nigerians that the upper legislative chamber will consider the Tax Reform Bills 2024 immediately after the Eid and Easter holidays.   Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central, also reaffirmed that the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution remained a priority. He explained that the amendment process is aimed at creating a more efficient and responsive governance system that serves the interests of all Nigerians.   Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, during an empowerment programme, Bamidele highlighted various legislative efforts since the…

Deputy Speaker Kalu appoints Sam Ifeanyi Hart as New Chief of Staff

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq., as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).   The announcement was made by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, in a statement issued on Tuesday. Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu, who was recently appointed as the Executive Director, Projects, at the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).   Before this appointment, Hart served as the Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs. He has an…

Why America Will Attack Iran, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

“Today, nearly everything is made in China – except courage; it’s made in Palestine.” – Anthony Bourdain. Anyone conversant with world affairs knows what’s happening in the Middle East. One does not have to belong to a particular faith to take an interest in events there because, where humanity is concerned, all divine religions agree on the sanctity of human life. Even though Nigeria has unending problems, that does not mean one should shut out other humans and their suffering. It’s like saying we don’t have enough food, so we…

House Public Accounts Committee recovers additional $14million from Oil Companies

Emporium Reporters

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recovered an additional $14.2 million (₦21.4 billion) from four oil and gas companies, bringing the total amount retrieved in its ongoing financial probe to $33.44 million (₦50.1 billion).   This latest recovery followed an earlier announcement on March 16, 2025, when PAC reported securing ₦28.7 billion ($19.24 million) from companies found to have financial discrepancies in their dealings with the government. The newly recovered funds included $1.9 million from Platform Petroleum Ltd, $1.578 million from Midwestern Oil and Gas Ltd, $523,845…

House of Reps condemns Edo mob killing, demands justice for victims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has strongly condemned the brutal killing of 16 travellers from Northern Nigeria in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, called for swift and thorough justice against the perpetrators.   In a statement issued on Saturday by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the lawmakers described the incident as a grave violation of human rights and the rule of law.   The House acknowledged the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, instructing security agencies to conduct…